Microscopic Simulation on High-Class Roads: Enhancement of Environmental Analyses and Driving Dynamics: Practical Applications

Abstract

Traffic is a very complex phenomenon. As the calculation power and capacity of computers have rapidly increased, the possibilities for modeling traffic corresponding better to reality have also increased. A noteworthy method for modeling is microscopic simulation of traffic, which can be used for a variety of needs. In general it can be stated that the interest in microsimulation lies in short-term functional studies rather than in the assessment of long-term needs. The design of concepts for traffic management strategies, especially for main transport corridors and urban traffic systems, constitutes a challenge for the user of microscopic simulation tools. In addition to practical project planning, microscopic traffic simulation can also provide a tool for research. Detailed calculation of emissions is of special interest in congested urban areas. Microscopic simulation of traffic provides comprehensive methods for detailed assessment of emissions as each individual vehicle is recorded with respect to its driving conditions and performance both in space and in time (speed, acceleration, deceleration). HUTSIM is a Finnish microscopic simulation software developed by the Helsinki University of Technology. Because it is rule based and object oriented, the operational comprehension of the software can be expanded quite easily. In many Finnish projects, HUTSIM has been expanded to better suit wide-scale applications. Development of emission analysis and lane-change models is described, as are future development outlines concerning modeling human behavior and analyzing the level of service using fuzzy methods.